Carpentry Trades Contractors and Supervisors

(NOC 7204)

in All Trades and Transportation

These supervisors coordinate and supervise the activities Carpenters and Cabinetmakers. They work for construction companies, carpentry contractors, maintenance departments of industrial businesses, and custom furniture and fixture manufacturing or repair companies. Contractors may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 160 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$19.98

Minimum

$27.00

Median

$37.80

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,684

Minimum

$38,537

Median

$83,015

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

These supervisors coordinate and supervise the activities Carpenters and Cabinetmakers. They work for construction companies, carpentry contractors, maintenance departments of industrial businesses, and custom furniture and fixture manufacturing or repair companies. Contractors may be self-employed.

Job duties

Contractors and supervisors in this group:

  • Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of carpenters and cabinetmakers.
  • Create ways to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments.
  • Request materials and supplies.
  • Solve work problems and recommend ways to improve productivity.
  • Train or arrange for training of workers.
  • Recommend staffing actions like hiring and promotions.
  • Make sure safe working conditions standards are met.
  • Prepare schedules and other reports.
  • May manage their own companies.
  • May also supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of related apprentices, helpers and labourers.
  • Small businesses' contractors may carry out tasks within their trade area of expertise, which is generally not the case for supervisors or contractors associated with a medium or large business.

Sample job titles

  • cabinetmaking contractor
  • carpenter supervisor
  • carpentry contractor
  • finish carpenters foreperson
  • form builders foreperson
  • framers foreperson
  • general foreperson - residential construction
  • maintenance carpenters supervisor
  • residential construction supervisor

Skills

  • You must be able to work well with a variety of people. Leadership and effective spoken and written communication skills are essential. You must also be able to prepare cost estimates, maintain production schedules, supervise staff, and work as part of a team. You should be prepared to keep up with new techniques, equipment, and materials. Physical stamina and good motor skills are necessary.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • Several years of experience as a qualified tradesperson in a related trade are required.
  • Journeyperson trade certification in a related trade is required.

Other considerations

  • Most people in these jobs work full-time but often for only part of each year. Jobs in the construction industry are strongly affected by seasonal changes and general economic conditions. Workers in many of these jobs should be prepared for periods of unemployment. Many work on a project basis and can expect periods of unemployment throughout the year. Individuals in these jobs usually have significant non-supervisory experience in related jobs. There is some movement among jobs within a specific trade, however, there is little or no inter-trade movement among supervisors.

By the numbers

Quick look

605

employed in 2016

88.4%

employed full-time

52.1%

self employed

2.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
97.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
49.1

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
94.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

36.6%

Halifax

$38,558 median annual income
25.2%

Annapolis Valley

$31,987 median annual income
15.4%

North Shore

$47,216 median annual income
13.8%

Southern

$35,716 median annual income
8.9%

Cape Breton

$60,500 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

85.6%

Construction

7.7%

Manufacturing

4.8%

Public administration

1.9%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

55-64

25.0%

45-54

23.0%

35-44

16.0%

25-34

7.0%

65+

2.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

32.2%

Trade Certification

$52,526 median annual income
22.3%

High school

$31,198 median annual income
19.8%

College Diploma

$35,058 median annual income
18.2%

Less than high school

$23,039 median annual income
5.0%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Cabinetmaking and Millwork

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, operate and repair industrial woodworking machinery, and to use such machinery to design and fabricate wooden components and complete articles.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Carpentry - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to lay out, cut, fabricate, erect, install, and repair wooden structures and fixtures, using hand and power tools. They include courses in technical mathematics, framing, construction materials and selection, job estimating, blueprint reading, foundations and roughing-in, finish carpentry techniques, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Carpenter Millwright College (CMC) Inc.

Lower Sackville, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair outboard and inboard engines, test, maintain, and repair steering devices and electrical systems, repair hulls and vessel components, make and maintain sails, and repair and balance propellers and drive shafts.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Trade Certification

Certificate of Qualification: Certification in a related designated trade is required to work in this job.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Canadian Home Builder's Association Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS
Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers
Various, NS
BuildForce Canada
Ottawa, ON
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.